Stirling and Nagasaki Universities celebrate aquaculture partnership and collaboration

A delegation from Nagasaki University, Japan, recently visited the University of Stirling's newly opened National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub (NATIH).

To mark the occasion and commemorate the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the two institutions last year, thirty cherry blossom trees were planted on the University of Stirling's campus as a symbol of the friendship between the University and Japan.

In addition, during the unveiling ceremony, a commemorative plaque was installed at one of the tree-planting sites beside the Beech Court student accommodation.

Regarding this visit, Professor Neville Wylie, Senior Deputy Principal (Internationalisation) at the University of Stirling, said: "It has been a privilege to welcome Consul General Takeda and the delegation from Nagasaki University to our campus. This visit has allowed us to explore new opportunities to strengthen our collaboration and further consolidate our growing relationship with Japan through the planting of the sakura trees."

Funded with £21 million through the Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal, the National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub (NATIH) aims to help tackle global food insecurity through aquaculture.

"Our meetings revealed significant potential for collaboration in fisheries science, student exchanges, and other areas, building on our memorandum of academic cooperation, which was renewed in 2025 after more than a decade of collaboration," noted Takeshi Nagayasu, President of Nagasaki University.

Finally, the Consul General of Japan in Edinburgh, Katsutoshi Takeda, said: "I hope these cherry trees will blossom for many years to come, and that the collaboration between our esteemed universities will continue to bear fruit and enrich the lives of many people over the coming decades."